FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 2023-24 Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup with a commanding 6-1 win over the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Friday night. With the win, the 'Nooks also move to 3-3-1 on the season. 

The Nanooks had a strong start, hopping on the board 9:57 into the first. Brady Risk came through for the Nanooks, netting a goal for an early lead after Anton Rubtsov got the puck in behind the Seawolf defense. Rubtsov and Arvils Bergmanis grabbed the apples for the Blue and Gold. A.J. Macaulay continued the Alaska scoring, hitting a screamer from the point past the UAA keeper 12:35 into the first. Alaska would not be done, however, adding yet another goal in the first from Risk for his second of the evening. Risk was set up by Rubtsov and Arvils Bergmanis 19:37 into the first. The score remained 3-0 for most of the second period until Cade Ahrenholz got a look on a breakaway for his first collegiate goal, set up from Cade Neilson for the Cade to Cade connection. The 4-0 lead would not stand, however, as Payton Matsui would be the ultimate opportunist, stealing the puck from a UAA defender directly in front of the goal before netting a shot off the bar for the 5-0 lead just two minutes after Ahrenholz gave Alaska the 4-0 lead. Matsui's goal was his first of the year.

The 5-0 lead stood through until the third period when Ben Almquist found the back of the net 8:30 into the final period for Anchorage's one goal on the night. An Anchorage turnover deep in its zone set up the final score of the net, another Cade-to-Cade connection, seeing Neilson set up Ahrenholz for his second goal of the night and his career. The sixth Nanooks goal came 10:48 into the third period. 

The two teams meet again tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Carlson Center. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. and will conclude the first weekend of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. 

The stats from tonight have yet to be officially finalized. Please check back at a different date for final box scores. 

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